[CKnits]

When I'm not on KP (LOL) - I'm working with some rug/craft yarn using up that bit of stash. I'm ready for something different with this same yarn type.

What is the easiest way to twist two or more strands together fairly evenly to make a heavier yarn - using entire skeins? Or, am I making this difficult by thinking to "ply" yarns together rather than pulling multiple strands as I proceed in the project? My thought is that I'd like the strands to be fairly even in their twist together. I might use two colors together and think that would look best if it's a more even twist.

I have browsed through YouTube, searched the web...etc for help. Pointers on researching this even?

I hope to try using the thicker yarn to continuous weave small pads, placemats, or hotpads on weaving looms.

Thank you!

 

[hilltopper]

Anytime I have used more than one strand at a time [fairly often] - only with knitting or crocheting I have just used them without twisting. Making stitches integrates them. I don't know about weaving, though.

 

[Dsynr]

When knitting my "made" yarn---made w/multiple strands of this and that---I just pull it and knit bc the strands do not always match each other in the way they reel off the cone. That avoids having loops of one thread that did not match the others to fix or frog after knitting :?

 

[knitster475]

Twisting 2 strands of yarn together by hand is REALLY time consuming. You might try knitting two swatches, one with the untwisted strands held together and another with them twisted to see how much of a difference there is. If there isn't much difference, you could save yourself hours by just holding 2 strands together. Also, look for biasing. Twisting 2 yarns together can cause a knitted project to skew. If the yarns are twisted together too tightly, the resulting yarn might be unbalanced because you will be adding twist that wants to untwist causing your knitting to bias.

 

[CKnits]

Ahhh. Very logical and I thank you all for the experienced advice.

 

[run4fittness]

I just put them together while knitting or crocheting. Have not tried it with weaving though.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

When knitting my "made" yarn---made w/multiple strands of this and that---I just pull it and knit bc the strands do not always match each other in the way they reel off the cone. That avoids having loops of one thread that did not match the others to fix or frog after knitting :?

:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[joanh8060]

I have a tool called a Daruma Home Twister designed to do just that. its like a winder with another arm that creates an even twist with more than one strand. its probably 20 years old or more.
My experience with this is wool yarn ...the fibers lock once it is washed and the results are very satisfactory. I have also done it with cotton yarns and those work as well. i don't mess with acrylic much. Call me a fiber snob...i just like the natural stuff. Joan 8060

 

[Hazel Blumberg - McKee]

When I use two or more yarns together, I just knit them right from the balls of yarn. I don't bother to twist them together into one ball.

Hazel

 

[henhouse2011]

for knitting machines you are advised to put one cone below the other on a box type arrangement so the lower strand pulls up through and the strands wind off evenly together. If you have a wheel plying them is fast. As always try a swatch and see what you like. A little time spent now gives you the answer for future.

 

[henhouse2011]

for knitting machines you are advised to put one cone below the other on a box type arrangement so the lower strand pulls up through and the strands wind off evenly together. If you have a wheel plying them is fast. As always try a swatch and see what you like. A little time spent now gives you the answer for future.

 

[karen figueroa]

I've done this many times, by just using strands straight off the cone/skein/ball. The main problem I have had is different tensions because one will unwind easier than another. The strands also tend to separate unless they are plied, so you really have to watch your stitches to check for strands not picked up. Try to remember to check each row. As for color distribution, it doesn't matter whether you ply or not.

 

[disgo]

Keep the Z and S twist in mind for all craft projects when using two threads/yarns together.

You will find when doing a swatch that yarns with equal circumferences and plies used together (most often called a ragg yarn online) will make a tweed fabric. Like any other twist you are also creating firmness and increased thickness.

 

[Laujob]

I am knitting with 4 strands of cotton from cones. The cones are sitting level in a box. All the strands are the same 'thickness'. This time, I thought it would be easier if the strands were twisted somewhat, so I twisted enough to cast on, and knit a few rows. I am using a 16 inch bamboo circular needle.By sliding the stitches to the center, I can hold one needle up and use it and the work on it as a drop spindle. The work does not slide off, the UNheld needle just curls up. The needle I am holding up makes a perfect spindle rod, and I can spin enough to knit a few rows. By sliding my fingers down the twisted thread, I can insure all the strands are engaged evenly. Thought I would share my discovery. Maybe many of you have already found this out, or even a better way!

 

[Jessica-Jean]

I am knitting with 4 strands of cotton from cones. The cones are sitting level in a box. All the strands are the same 'thickness'. This time, I thought it would be easier if the strands were twisted somewhat, so I twisted enough to cast on, and knit a few rows. I am using a 16 inch bamboo circular needle.By sliding the stitches to the center, I can hold one needle up and use it and the work on it as a drop spindle. The work does not slide off, the UNheld needle just curls up. The needle I am holding up makes a perfect spindle rod, and I can spin enough to knit a few rows. By sliding my fingers down the twisted thread, I can insure all the strands are engaged evenly. Thought I would share my discovery. Maybe many of you have already found this out, or even a better way!

For a small project, this sounds like a great idea! Unfortunately for me, I usually opt for very large projects; I fear spinning them wouldn't be feasible after a certain point. However, I did just acquire a large wooden lazy-susan. I could probably use it to spin my yarn balls/cones.

 

[Laujob]

Using a lazy susan is a great idea! Maybe even easier than my 'Drop spindle'. I do have a lazy susan.

 

[IndigoSpinner]

If you decide to twist strands together, please be aware that you are introducing new instabilities into all the yarn by adding or subtracting twist.

Unless you use very little twist, you can wind up with yarn that either falls apart or worms badly.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

If you decide to twist strands together, please be aware that you are introducing new instabilities into all the yarn by adding or subtracting twist.

Unless you use very little twist, you can wind up with yarn that either falls apart or worms badly.

Worms?? I thought that worming was only a property of chenille 'yarn'??

 

[IndigoSpinner]

Worms?? I thought that worming was only a property of chenille 'yarn'??

Overtwisted yarn will worm and bias.

You'd almost have to learn to spin to understand this, but trust me, it does.

Or you could subtract twist from the component yarns and have a finished product that just drifts apart before you can knit it.

I'm pointing out the worst case scenario, and twisting yarns together probably won't be quite this bad, but to some degree, you'll be destabilizing the yarns you use. So don't do much twisting.

Anything you do that adds or subtracts twist from a balanced yarn is not good.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

Overtwisted yarn will worm and bias.

You'd almost have to learn to spin to understand this, but trust me, it does.

Or you could subtract twist from the component yarns and have a finished product that just drifts apart before you can knit it.

I'm pointing out the worst case scenario, and twisting yarns together probably won't be quite this bad, but to some degree, you'll be destabilizing the yarns you use. So don't do much twisting.

Anything you do that adds or subtracts twist from a balanced yarn is not good.

Thanks for the info. I guess that's the clue to avoiding worming when knitting chenille. I'll have another go at it, but make the 'yarn' unroll (like toilet paper) from the cardboard tube it's on, instead of letting it tumble around.